Needle



Jam 17, 1947. L, F, THOMPSON 2,422,269

' NEEDLE Filed June 22, 1945 Inventor @man F772 2 223022 mdflwyziMt I Patented June 17, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NEEDLE Lyman F. Thompson, Fayetteville, Ark. Application June 22, 1945, Serial No. 600,928

8 Claims.

This invention relates to needles of various kinds: and one object of the invention is to provide a needle which may be instantly threaded,

Another object of my invention is to provide a needle which may be threaded by a blind person.

A further object of the invention is to provide a needle having a hook end and means whereby the hook may be closed to form an eye.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a needle having an eye with an opening leading into the eye and a thimble for closing the opening.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a greatly enlarged elevational view of my improved needle,

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation of one end thereof shown partly in section,

Figure 3 is a like view with parts in changed position, and

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a sewing machine needle.

In the accompanying drawings as above enumerated and in the following specification, like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout and in which Hl, indicates my im proved sewing needle and Ill, indicates my sewing machine needle. The needle [0, comprises the usual shank II, with a point l2 and a butt end 13. However the butt end 13, is reduced in diameter, as indicated at M, and has rotatably mounted thereon a thimble elongated collar, ring or sleeve IS. The end l6, of the reduced portion 14, is cut away arcuately at an angle on one side to form a slot or throat as at H, and the thimble is provided with a like cut-out l8 or beveled at an angle to form a tapered end, adapted to align flush with the cut out l1. The extending end 22, 0111 the part 14, terminates in a hook 23, between the arms 24 and 25, of which is an eye forming slot 26. This hook end of the needle is of the same diameter as the body or shank ll, thereof but the arm 25, is provided with a reduced extension 21, aligning with the surface of member or reduced portion l4, and adapted to form a seat for the extension or end 28, of the member it, when the same isv rotated to close the passage ll, after a thread has been slipped therethrough and into eye slot 26 of hook 23 to form a closed eye. The members l4 and I5, are frictionally engaged to one another whereby the thimble IE, will re main where put, either to open or close the passage I1,

In Figure 4, I show a slight modification of the invention in which the book 29', is formed at the point end 3%, of the sewing machine needle 3:2, and a reduced portion cut away to form a slot or throat with athimble, ring, sleeve or collar 32. rotatably mounted on the reduced portion and similarly cutout. or beveled at an angle to form a tapered end, is provided to close the. slot (not shown in this view): leading to the eye 33,, the same as in Figures 1 2mm 3.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after con sidering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrange ment of details and parts such as come within the purview of theinvention claimed may be,

resorted to, in actualpractice, if desired.

Having now described my invention that which I claim as new and desire to procure by Letters Patent is:

1. A needle having a reduced diameter adjacent one end thereof, a terminal hook on said end, and means for covering the free end of the hook to form a closed eye for the needle, said means consisting of a thimble rotatably mounted on said reduced portion and held against .sliding movement thereon, said portion and said thimble having cut-outs adapted to align in one position of rotation of the thimble to open a passage to the eye and means on the free arm of the hook for supporting an end of the thimble in another position of rotation of the thimble to close the passage, and said reduced portion and thimble being frictionally connected.

2. A needle having a reduced diameter adjacent one end thereof, a terminal hook on said end, and means for covering the free end of the hook to form a closed eye for the needle, said means consisting of a rotatable thimble on said reduced portion and held against longitudinal movement, said portion and said thimble having cut-outs adapted to align to open a passage to the eye when the thimble is rotated to one position and means on the free arm of the hook for supporting an end of the thimble to close the passage in another position of rotation of the thimble.

3. A needle having a reduced diameter adjacent one end thereof, a terminal hook on said end, and means for covering the free end of the hook to form a closed eye for the needle, said means consisting of a thimble rotatable on said reduced portion, said portion and said, thimble having cut-outs adapted to align to open a passage to the eye upon rotation of the thimble to one position and to close said passage when rotated to another position.

4. A needle having a reduced diameter adjacent one end thereof, a terminal hook on said end, and means for covering the free end of the hook to form a closed eye for the needle, said means consisting of a thimble turnable on said reduced portion and said thimble and reduced portion both being of the same length and each having a tapered end of conforming relation to close the eye when the thimble is turned to one position and to open the eye when turned to another position.

5. A needle having a pointed end and a hook with a bill terminating in spaced relation to the adjacent portion of the needle to form an entrance and exit opening for a thread, said needle having a reduced portion adjacent the hook and opening, and a sleeve mounted to turn on said reduced portion so that the outer surface thereof is flush with the outer surface of the needle at its portion of normal size adjacent the reduced portion, and of the hook portion, said sleeve having a tapered end which when the sleeve is turned in one position uncovers the opening and in another position overlies the bill of the hook to close said opening and form a closed eye.

6. A needle having a pointed end and a hook V with a bill terminating in spaced relation to the adjacent portion of the needle to form an entrance and exit opening for a thread, said needle having a reduced portion adjacent the hook and opening, and a radial annular shoulder at the end of the reduced portion remote from the opening and bill on the hook, and a sleeve mounted to turn on the reduced portion against the shoulder and having a cut out to align with the opening to permit the entrance of a thread, and adapted to 9,422,2'ed '3' t J T r sisting of an elongated sleeve frictionally mounted V to rotate on said reduced portion, saidportion l and said sleeve being beveled to form tapered ends adapted upon rotating the sleeve to align to open a passage to the eye and a reduced extension on the arm of the hook for supporting the tapered end of the sleeve in position to close the passage.

8. A needle having a pointed end and a hook with a bill terminating in spaced relation to the adjacent portion of the needle to form an entrance and exit opening for a thread, and a sleeve mounted to turn on said needle with one end adjacent the bill of the hook and held against sliding movement, said sleeve having a tapered end which when the sleeve is turned in one position uncovers the opening and in another position overlies the bill of the hook to close said opening and form a closed eye. 7

LYMAN F. THOMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The foliowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain 1903 

